The Chinese Lab

In 1979 Den Xiaoping designated a few special economic zones, where free trade could be undertaken, while analysing its social impact. In those days SHENZHEN was a fishermen village. 30.000 people lived in this place, with unpaved roads, no electricity and a serviced area just 3 km. wide. Today it is the busiest border of the world, with 11 million people crossing every year by train, road, boat or plane. 90% of its 10m people was born somewhere else. Many of the things one can buy is manufactured here. I took these photos in 2005, in my first visit to China.